Five Times Socks Made History

Five Times Socks Made History

From political statements to fuelling armies in times of war, socks have surprisingly left a mark on history. Let’s explore five key moments when these humble accessories played a crucial role.

1. The Blood-Soaked Baseball Triumph
When baseball legend Curt Schilling helped the Boston Red Sox break their 86-year World Series drought in 2004, it wasn’t just his pitching skills that caught the fans' attention - it was his blood-stained socks. Schilling, playing through a painful ankle injury, pitched much of the game in visible discomfort, his sock stained red with blood. The moment became so iconic that a Red Sox fan later purchased the sock for an astounding $92,000 (£71,000), cementing its place in sports memorabilia history.

2. A Silent Olympic Protest
Tommie Smith's iconic raised fist at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics is a symbol of the civil rights movement, but there’s more to the story. Smith, the gold medallist, stood on the podium barefoot, wearing black socks to represent the poverty faced by Black Americans. The bold visual protest drew attention to social inequality, leading to Smith’s expulsion from Team USA. Decades later, his act is remembered as one of the most powerful political statements in Olympic history.

3. The Birth of the Luddites
The word "Luddite" has its roots in 18th-century England when a young apprentice named Ned Ludd, fearing that his craft was being replaced by machines, rebelled. In 1779, Ludd destroyed a stocking frame machine, sparking a movement among textile workers to resist the industrial revolution. The Luddites, as they became known, waged a campaign against the machines that threatened to upend traditional hand-knit sock-making and other crafts, leaving a lasting impact on labour movements.

4. Blue Stockings and Intellectual Revolution
Blue stockings were once ordinary, worn-out socks, far from being fashionable. But in 1756, they became a symbol of intellectual society when Benjamin Stilling fleet, a scholar, was invited to an elite literary salon by Elizabeth Vesey. The host famously told him to come as he was, without worrying about formal attire, even if it meant wearing his "blue stockings." Soon after, the term "Blue Stockings" became synonymous with women who were involved in intellectual discussions and literature, marking a shift toward embracing female intellect in the upper classes.

5. Socks that Changed a War
During the American Revolutionary War, George Washington understood that basic supplies like socks could make or break his army’s morale and health. Washington frequently urged Congress to send his troops warm socks during the harsh winters. Hearing of the troops' desperate need, a group of women in New Jersey banded together to knit wool socks for the soldiers. Their efforts helped keep the army warm, contributing to the eventual success of the American forces at Morristown.